The first and most obvious question answered is that Nathan is the Civil War veteran and hence the Flag Marker.

Imagine my excitement when I found this on his grave because it means he knew my 2nd great grandfather, James A. BARBER as not only did they live in the same town, they fought in the same unit! This brings my aunt's genealogy closer to mine.

Because he was the veteran, this may explain why his father and mother's inscription is on the side of the stone. Perhaps they chose this monument after Peleg and Hannah died and wanted to add their names so they wouldn't be forgotten.

Because of this connection to the Civil War, I looked Nathan up in Robert Grandchamp's new book, The Boys of Adam's Battery G, McFarland & Co. Publishers, North Carolina, 2009. Sure enoough he is mentioned as being the man who returned sick from the War to find out his wife was unfaithful and he subsequently divorced her (from his pension record). [p. 241]

With some digging, I find out she is NOT the wife listed on this gravestone! She was Jane M. CARD (1828-1895), daughter of William Henry Card and his wife Sarah Crandall. Jane bore him 5 children before he married (17 Nov 1866) Mary A. Tucker and their only child together was Peleg Everett Champlin.

Jane married (2) Dyer Kingsley and had one more child with him in 1869.